Hi, I’m Kelly
I live on the unceded territories of the Líl̓wat Nation, the southern St’at’imc traditional territory, otherwise known as Pemberton, B.C., Canada. My ancestry is from Ireland, England and Scotland. I spend my days in a farmhouse surrounded by animal friends and Ts'zil, a giant mountain that towers above farm fields and nearby lakes.
I am a Registered Somatic Movement Educator (ISMETA) and a graduate of The School of Body-Mind Centering®* Embodied Anatomy & Yoga program. I am an educator, writer and teacher who creates spaces for embodiment practices open to all genders, bodies and abilities. Since 2004, I’ve taught various forms of movement classes. For 11 years I practiced energy work and craniosacral therapy. The teachings I’ve received in somatics, embodiment practices and energy work derive their knowledge from cultural and philosophical traditional practices such as Ti-Chi, Qigong, Yoga and Buddhism.
I have been blessed along the way with many incredible teachers including, Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, Amy Matthews, Danielle McCulloch, Wendy Hambidge and Mary Lou Seeriter and Pippa Cherniavsky. I am deeply grateful for them and their teachers before them. I also wish to honor all the people who’ve lied on my table and attended my classes. You are all my teachers. I would be remiss if I did not mention my gratitude to the teachers in the unseen realms, including my Celtic Ancestors.
My specialty is working with people with chronic pain. I’ve been living in a body with pain for about 33 years now, which is most of my life. Many of my most intimate communities and loves are people who live with chronic pain. Our chronic pain stories are as varied as our cultures, histories and bodies. Yet there are some strands of similarities in the way I see people with chronic pain surviving and thriving. I am currently collaborating with colleagues who also live with chronic pain. In time, we hope to share resources that have helped us live life with joy in our Highly Sensitive and tender animal bodies.
HERE’S A FEW THINGS I WISH FOR
I want us to believe in the power of making pleasure a central part of our lives. I would love if everyone read adrienne maree brown’s book, Pleasure Activism.
I want to live in a world that embraces non-conformity and nurtures our inherent gifts. I would also like everyone to know who Alok is.
I want other chronically ill people and people from marginalized communities to be centered in our societies, because I truly believe that’s how we will all thrive.
*Body-Mind Centering® used with permission.
Writing & Projects:
I have written articles over the years on chronic pain. My articles have been published on various blogs, including My Yoga Online (2013).
In 2010 I released a CD of Energy Healing and meditation practices.
Related Volunteer & Activism Work:
2000-2012: North Shore Women’s Centre — Feminist Intersectional-based Social Justice Work, administration and event planning and organizing.
2001-2004: North Shore Multicultural Society— Youth led initiative as a workshop co-facilitator on Power & Privilege and Anti-Oppression work.
2008-2010: Vancouver Friends for Life Society— Provided Energy Healing for those with life threatening illness and disease.